My first brew - Have I messed it up?

[Leann ull]

That's a bit high close it up and leave for a week

[thechevron]

Starting gravity was 1.038

Gravity today (day 4) was 1.020

So no movement in 5 days. This is the first reading Ive taken that was not in the tube the hydrometer came with. It shows 1.020 or there about.

[Leann ull]

 

[thechevron]

I don't understand what your getting at? Sorry I'm a newbie.

[LordEoin]

neither do I tbh, i'd call that 1.020 too

[Leann ull]

On 21st you said the gravity was 1018 today you say its 1020 and looking at that pic its hard to see be careful with the reading of the hydrometer as I don't believe its finished.
Put your eye at same level and read, take a close up pic if you like and we can tell you what it is. No scrub that last bit don't touch it.

1. Give bucket a twist (Not a shake) to rouse yeast
2. Leave in 18-22 Degrees constant to finish off. Temp is important as it may have stalled.
3. Leave it alone for 7 days, no messing touching no measuring etc
4. Measure Gravity again at that point
5. in 2 months give me a bottle 

[LordEoin]

5. in 2 months give me a bottle 

first brews never last 2 months... 

[thechevron]

I think that reading in the glass from the pic above is the only true reading I have  since the first gravity reading. I had been using the tube that came with the hydrometer for the other readings and that was a bit tight.

I have been taking samples from the tap at the bottom of the FV.

I have not noticed any kind of action or bubbling or anything since I started this brew, Im wondering if its fermenting at all?

A friend gave me these sachets of yeast this morning, is it worth trying to pitch more yeast?

[LordEoin]

test the hydrometer in water at 20°c. It should read 1.000.

You could add the restart sachet I suppose. I've not used that stuff so i don't know if it adds off-flavors etc.

[thechevron]

Yeah its 1.000 at 20 degrees, I checked that.

Should I stir it once I add the yeast?

Could the the yeast in the Craft Kit have been the issue?

[LordEoin]

i've never had any problems with the yeast from those kits.
unless your temperature has been fluctuating a lot it should have just kept going til it was done at around 1.010

after a bit of googling, i probably wouldn't add the restart stuff. looks to be more for wine and is not suitable for beer.

maybe just pick up the bucket and swirl the contents around to knock all the yeast back into solution, then leave it at 18-20 and check back in a few days. be careful when picking up a full fermentor as it usually causes air to be sucked in through the airlock (along with the airlock contents)

[Leann ull]

5. in 2 months give me a bottle 

first brews never last 2 months... 

[thechevron]

Starting gravity was 1.038

Gravity today (day 4) was 1.020

So no movement in 5 days. This is the first reading Ive taken that was not in the tube the hydrometer came with. It shows 1.020 or there about.

Gravity still hasn't dropped

No action in the airlock. It will be 2 weeks tomorrow.

[Drzava]

And it's been at a reasonably steady 18C the whole time?

[thechevron]

Yeah 18c according to the stick on thermometer.